service

Personal medical documents translation

Dealing with a medical problem is stressful enough without a language barrier on top. If you’ve been treated abroad, are moving overseas or need your health records understood in another country, we can translate your medical documents accurately, sensitively and in a format that’s ready to use.

Our professional translators have experience with medical terminology, and your project manager will guide you through the process from start to finish, so you’re never left guessing.

When might you need a medical document translated?

Most people come to us because something unexpected has happened. Common situations include:

Treatment abroad. You were taken ill or injured on holiday, say in Spain, and your hospital paperwork is in Spanish. Your travel insurer needs it in English before they’ll process your claim.
Insurance and compensation claims. Medical records, reports and invoices often need translating to support a claim for treatment costs, cancellation or personal injury.
Continuing treatment at home. Your GP, consultant or hospital in the UK needs to understand what happened abroad, including diagnoses, test results and medication.
Moving or living overseas. A new doctor or health system needs your UK records in their language.
Immigration, visa and legal applications. You may need medical evidence in another language to support an application or legal case.
Second opinions and specialist referrals. A specialist in another country needs to review your history.

Whatever the reason, tell us what you need the translation for and we’ll make sure it’s suitable.

Documents we translate

We regularly translate personal medical documents such as:

Hospital discharge summaries and admission notes
Medical reports and consultant letters
Test results, scans and laboratory reports
Prescriptions and medication lists
Hospital and treatment invoices
Vaccination and immunisation records
Fit-to-travel and fit-to-work certificates
GP and patient records

These are just examples. If your type of document isn’t listed, we can still help: just ask.

Translation you can rely on

Medical translation leaves no room for guesswork. A wrongly translated dosage, diagnosis or date can cause confusion, delay a claim or affect your care.

That’s why every medical document is translated by a professional human translator with the right language skills and medical experience, not by an automatic tool. Your project manager also checks that the finished translation reflects the original in full, including stamps, signatures and handwritten notes where they can be read.

If you need the translation to be accepted by an insurer, hospital, court or other organisation, tell us at the start. We can advise on whether you need a certified translation and arrange it.

How it works

Send us your documents. Upload clear scans or photos, or email them to us. Tell us the languages, what the translation is for and who will receive it.
Get a detailed quote. We’ll review your documents and give you a clear quote and timescale before any work begins.
We translate and check. A translator with relevant medical experience translates your documents, and your project manager looks after the schedule and keeps you updated.
You receive your translation. We deliver it in the format you need and we’re on hand if you have any questions.

Why choose Atlas for your medical translation

Real people, with time for your questions

You’ll have a dedicated project manager from your first enquiry to delivery. If you’re unsure what your insurer needs or what to send, they’ll help. We’ll pick up the phone or reply to your email. We’re very much real people.

Specialist knowledge

Medical language is precise, and so are our translators. We choose linguists with experience in medical terminology, so diagnoses, treatments and test results are translated accurately.

Confidentiality and care

Your health information is private, and we treat it that way. Confidentiality is built into the way we work, and your documents are handled securely and shared only with the people working on your translation.

Quality you can trust

Atlas is ISO 9001 and ISO 17100 certified, with established processes for managing quality. Our experienced in-house project managers oversee each project.

Experience since 1991

We’ve been translating for individuals, businesses and organisations for over 30 years, across a wide range of languages and sectors including healthcare. You can trust us to take care of you and your documents.

“Whilst on holiday in Spain recently, it was necessary to seek urgent medical attention. Understandably, the Discharge Report was in Spanish and was very detailed.

We decided to get this translated so we could understand everything; including follow-up requirements. We had eleven pages translated.

Having chosen Atlas Translations Ltd, we are absolutely delighted with the excellent service they provided.

Nothing was too much trouble. They kept us informed throughout and provided easy to understand explanations to any questions we had. When we provided a copy of the translated report to our Cardiologist, he was most impressed with the translation and said it was the best he’d read!

We have no hesitation in recommending Atlas Translations Ltd.”

Adrian Hilliard

Medical translation client

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Frequently asked questions

What types of documents are included in medical translation?

Medical translation covers everything from discharge notes, vaccination records and doctors’ letters to consent forms, patient guides, clinical-trial materials, surveys and medical-device instructions. The translator needs appropriate medical expertise, while the style and terminology used will depend on whether the document is intended for patients or healthcare professionals.

I had treatment abroad on holiday. What should I send you?

Send everything your insurer has asked for, such as the discharge summary, medical reports, test results and itemised invoices. If you’re not sure what’s needed, check with your insurer or ask your project manager, who can talk you through it. Clear scans or photos of the originals are fine to start with.

What if I only have photos of the documents on my phone?

That’s fine. Send us clear, well-lit photos with all the text visible, including the edges of the page. If any part is hard to read, your project manager will let you know.

Will my insurer accept your translation?

Requirements vary between insurers, and some accept a standard professional translation while others ask for a certified one. Check what your insurer needs before you order, and tell us so we can match it. Not sure? Give us a call and we’ll help you figure it out.

When is a certified medical translation required?

Medical notes or reports being submitted to a doctor, insurer or other official organisation will likely need to be translated and certified. Certification confirms that the translation is a true and accurate representation of the original. Requirements vary, so check with whoever will receive the document before arranging the translation.

Which languages do you translate?

We cover over 300 languages. That includes languages spoken in common holiday destinations such as Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, Greek and Turkish, and translation both into and out of English.

Can you translate handwritten medical records?

Often, yes, as long as the handwriting can be read. Doctors’ handwriting can be hard to decipher, so we’ll tell you at the quote stage if any parts are unclear. The clearer the scan, the better. Where a word can’t be read with confidence, we’ll mark it in the translation rather than guess.

Do you also offer interpreting for medical appointments?

Yes. If you need an interpreter for a hospital or medical appointment, see our interpreting services.

How much does it cost?

Pricing depends on the length of your documents, the language and how complex the content is. We give you a detailed quote before we start, so you know the cost upfront.

Can I claim the cost of translation back from my insurer?

Some policies cover translation costs and others don’t, so it’s worth checking your policy or asking your insurer before you order. We can provide an invoice for your records.

How long will it take?

It depends on the length of the documents and the language. We’ll give you a timescale with your quote, and if you have a deadline, such as an insurance claim cut-off, tell us and we’ll do our best to meet it. For anything really urgent it’s best to give us a call on 01727 812 725.

Is my medical information kept confidential?

Yes. We understand how personal medical information is. Your documents are handled securely, shared only with the translator and project manager working on them, and used only for your translation.

What standards should a medical translation company meet?

Look for an agency with recognised quality standards such as ISO 9001 and ISO 17100, alongside strong confidentiality and data-handling procedures. Medical translators should also have relevant subject expertise. This is particularly important for clinical and pharmaceutical material, where accuracy, consistency and careful terminology management are essential.

Aren’t NHS translation and interpreting services free?

The NHS may organise interpreting when it’s needed for an NHS appointment, although arrangements can vary. Translating overseas medical records is different, and you may need to arrange this yourself. Before doing so, please ask your GP, hospital or NHS team exactly which documents need translating and whether certification is required.

Can I use AI translation for medical documents?

We wouldn’t recommend relying on machine translation for material relating to treatment, diagnosis, consent or other important medical matters. Medical terminology can be complex and highly dependent on context, while sensitive patient information also raises confidentiality concerns. A specialist medical translator provides much greater assurance that the information is accurate.